I am really not a huge fan of blues or blues rock but sometimes a band appears in this genre that makes me think about this genre different. Last year The Amazing Snakeheads realeased their first record Amphetamine Ballads and I looked forward to see them live. But suddenly they split without any reason. So it is one more band/album that disappeared in the high tight of new releases. I grabbed out this records recently and I am still exalted about what I've heard. Classic songs in a very slow tempo with a dominant bass and sharp guitars. Added with a voice directly from hell. Learned and trained by the spirit of The Cramps , Gun Club and the Stray Cats they made an outstanding record. Maybe this will be a classic in a few years.
2014 is gone and many list about the best albums/songs were made. During the last weeks I had plenty of time to listen to music - especially records that was released last year. I have to admit that it was a very good year for music. Lot's of new good bands appeared on the scene and old heroes came back with great music. So I decided to name 14 records that impressed me much in 2014. The list is in no real order and so let's go ...
Sleaford Mods - Divide and Exit: Fierce postal punk's bass; functional, insignificant beats, now and then cheap keyboard reef and apathetical guitars.
Aphex Twin - Syro: He's back with more piano parts. Hope we don't have to wait another 13 years for his next record.
Caribou - Our love: An avant-garde, electronic, living album with soul and R&B for body and soul.
Jungle - Jungle: Future Pop? J and T mix the best of the last 40 years into a great record. Compatible to a lot of listeners.
Neneh Cherry - Blank Project: An economically orchestrated album - intimate and directly
Lost on the River - The new basement tapes: Old songs discovered again by Elvis Costello
Jamie T. -: Astonishing comeback. The former rage in favour to quieter songs is given way
Holly Cook - Twice: My record from last summer. Perfect reggae based songs.
Jane Weaver - The Silver Globe: A crystal clear voice and psych-folk. Awesome.
Pete Molinari - Theosophy: Molinari pushes his music into the swirling space of the psychedelic 60s
The Ravonettes - Pe'ahi: Lastes release by the underrated Danish indie-rock duo.
Slow Club - Complete Surrender: Maybe the greatest surprise this year. A record full of fantastic songs. Pure 60s soul for 2014.
The Amazing Snakeheads - Amphetamine Ballads: Another band from Glasgow - and they made a well-worn fusion of late punk and raw Rock and Roll.
Ellis Island Sound - Regions: One of the albums I listened most last year. An intensive mix of African-influenced guitar lines, a steady percussive background added with dub effects and wailing trombone. Nearly meditative and often making an atmospheric mood.
Many people tell me that Rock Music is dead, no new good music is around. When I tell them they are wrong and ask me for some examples I try to tell them go out in the internet and start searching you'll find a lot of new fantastic music out there. The Amazing Snakeheads were recommended by Drew.
It's one of these bands that are really worth to give a listen to. The title of the album is their statement: Amphetamine Ballads. Hyper nervous and songs with good guitars and a singer that shouts out agressiv. The perfect music when you cruise through the city early in the morning.
